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Apprenticeships future still unclear

24 Nov 2015

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Semta's Ann Watson

British businesses have called on the government to clarify its impending plans regarding the future of apprenticeship schemes.

Earlier this year, the government revealed plans to create three million new apprenticeships over the next five years, including nine freely available degree apprenticeships in the laboratory science and nuclear engineering sectors.

However, Ann Watson, chief executive officer of skills body Semta, has said most companies are still in the dark about what is actually happening.

Business needs time to put these plans into action, and so clarity cannot come quick enough

Semta CEO Ann Watson

Most of the 145,000 companies that Semta represents are still “clueless” about what changes are being made and when they will be implemented, Watson said.

“Business needs time to put these plans into action, and so clarity cannot come quick enough,” said Watson.

Semta has recently supported employers in the research and publication of detailed plans as to how to create sustainable models for apprenticeships.

For instance, The ‘Apprenticeships for Future – Governance Model Report for AME Sector’ acted as a key conduit for business to comment on the proposed apprenticeship levy.

Last month, skills minister Nick Boles told the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships that an apprenticeship levy on ‘larger businesses’ would allow them to fund apprenticeships further down the supply chain.

Since Semta raised its concerns, business secretary Sajid Javid has said the future of apprenticeships would be made clear during Chancellor George Osborne’s autumn spending review tomorrow.